Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami gave his support to a Private Member’s Bill to prevent under-18s from using sunbeds.

He was among dozens of MPs who heard how children raise their risk of skin cancer by using sunbeds, which were recently upgraded to ‘carcinogenic to humans’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

A recent survey by Cancer Research UK also found a quarter of a million children aged 11-17 in the UK have used sunbeds.

Mr Tami said: “I was very shocked to hear how dangerous sunbeds can be to children’s health, and how many under-18s seem to be using them.

“We must act to prevent young people having access to sunbeds. I will be giving my full support to this Bill.”

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “In Scotland under-18s are banned from using sunbeds. But this is not the case in England and Wales.

“We are deeply concerned about how easy it is for large numbers of youngsters, particularly girls, to use sunbeds and there is strong evidence linking sunbed use with skin cancer.”